Today, the view from the Summerhouse is grey and wet. Yet I am heartened at signs of spring bulbs rising from winter’s slumber with fresh, green shoots. Soon, the view will be awash with colour.

As I work on the last leg of my memoir revisions, I feel like a spring bulb: hidden away, seemingly asleep, but working hard to grow a shoot of writing progress, the completed draft, closer to the surface.

Concentration and focus on writing is one thing; my increasing challenges as a carer and advocate for a family member are another. And this leaves me with not much left for blogging.

My solution, I think, is to post short (but hopefully sweet…) posts when I can. Just a few words, with a photograph or two, maybe a quote or a 99 word flash fiction while I focus on my writing…

Because I don’t want to disappear, and I do want to visit you, dear friends, and I will be working on that…and thank you so much for your understanding and to those who’ve recently helped with suggestions to ease me out of my blogging blues.

One idea from dear Sarah was to post a haiku and a photo, as she regularly does. I have always wanted to try my hand at haiku, so let’s see. I was encouraged by her beautiful post about the different forms of Japanese poetry featured at her friend (and my new blogging friend) Bill’s blog, Artistry With Words.

To kick off my new blogging regime then, I thought how nice it would be to share with you some photos from a sunny day spent at Tamar Otter & Wildlife Centre in Cornwall last summer. It is one of several posts I was forced to abandon at the time…

It was a baking hot day, for England, but these darling otters, both British and Asian, including their babies, came out to play ~

I thought it would be against the odds to snap a shot of a family of otters looking in the same direction.

Next time I post, let’s hope the view is sunny and bright with the bulbs in full bloom and we will say hello, how lovely to see you again, and share a smile beneath spring’s warming sunshine…

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About Sherri Matthews

While bringing her memoir, 'Stranger In A White Dress', to publication, Sherri's articles, short memoir, personal essays, poetry and flash fiction are published in national magazines, anthologies and online. Sherri blogs about her travels, nature and wildlife, Asperger's Syndrome and her life as a Brit ‘mom’ in America. As a regular contributer and columnist at 'Carrot Ranch', an online literary community, Sherri writes flash fiction and articles about the process of memoir for a 'Raw Lit' series. In another life, Sherri lived in California for twenty years, but today, she lives in England with her family including two black cats and a grumpy bunny. Writing stories from yesterday, making sense of today, giving hope for tomorrow.

So glad you enjoyed the photos. These were at a wildlife centre so a rare sighting indeed! I apologise for taking so long to reply to your comment, but I just found your comment in my spam folder. I hope it hasn’t been an issue for you elsewhere. Thank you for visiting the Summerhouse 🙂

Those adorable little faces and paws!
Well done for giving blogging another go, you have been missed. Just do whatever and whenever you can, and we’l be here. Good luck with all the challenges life is throwing at you!

Life is throwing us all curve balls currently isn’t it! Keep on with the memoir, that’s the really important thing for you and we will wait until you are ready 🙂 Now, I suspect there was food involved in the same direction facing photo of those there otters….. Yes? 🙂

Hi Pauline, I’m so sorry I haven’t replied to your comment until now, but I was just taking a look in my spam folder, which I try to do more often now, and I found yours hiding there! I hope it’s a one-off and hasn’t been an issue for you. Anyway, the important thing is I’ve found you, yay! And back to the otter pics, yes, you are spot on, the keeper was just out of sight, soon to arrive with lunch 🙂 Thank you as always for your encouragement my friend…I’m getting a bit tired of those curve balls, but hey, ’tis life. Have a lovely weekend, I’ll pop over to you next week to see what you’re up to…I’m off to see my boys in Brighton this weekend 🙂 ❤ xxx

Hi Sherri — happy to see you’re still at it and blogging. Also, that you’ve almost completed your memoirs. That’s an accomplishment in itself. You have no apologies to make — life has taken you in other directions and that’s okay. I’m sensing it, too, my friend. It’s all comes together somehow so beautifully in the end. God bless and take care until we see you back here again. Love and hugs. xxoo

Oh Pat…thank you so much…we both know too well when life takes us in different directions. It would be easy if I didn’t want to blog, or didn’t enjoy it, but I do! But…*Big Sigh*…we can only do what we can, at the given time. A season for everything, right? God bless you too my friend…I will definitely see you soon and love and hugs right back 🙂 xoxo

oh the otters in the same direction – what a great shot – and actually all of the photos were fun and this is a creature I do not see very often.
and I am curious to see if you will like doing the haiku and maybe pairing it with a photo…. I wrote a handful of haiku earlier this year – (just in my paper journal with some coffee) and even though I moved away from it – I ended up with one GEM of a haiku – and I will share it later.
and I really like the bulb analogy

I was so excited to get that! I’ve never seen otters up so close. Fresh water otters are returning to our rivers and lakes here in the UK after their decimation in the 50s and 60s due to farmers wanting them gone because of the fish disappearing, but a comeback since the 70’s has paid off, and a way to keep everyone happy, hopefully! The beautiful film ‘Ring of Bright Water’, the famous story about Tarka, the Otter, in the 70’s had a lot to do with it. I remember watching it and crying as a girl. And when we lived in CA, I used to love to take the kids to watch the sea otters froliking off the waters at Morro Bay, sometimes with babies on their belly’s and eating abalone…amazing sight. Glad you enjoyed the pics…and so far as writing haiku, yes, I hope to give it a shot at some point. Very much looking forward to reading your haiku…especially the GEM 🙂 We’ll keep pushing through into bright bloom! Thanks for your lovely comment Y xoxo

Ah, yes. Like a bulb in the soil, working to push its shoot through the earth. I know that feeling well. I feel your pain. ❤ Use your time and energy as you need to, as your family and your self need you to. Blogging can (and always does) wait. Post when you can. No worries. Or the idea of the haiku or a photo is a great one. 🙂 Love the photos!!!

Lovely Sarah…I know you understand ❤ I'm glad you like the idea of a haiku and/or photo…simple, easy, quick, a good way to keep the Summerhouse ticking over. Ahh..glad you enjoyed the photos…I thought, what could be better than some cheeky, cute otter faces to cheer up the day. Thank you…as always… 🙂

Hi Janet! Glad you enjoyed the pics, thank you! I’ve never been to Chicago…would love to oneday day though! But I did used to love watching the sea otters off the coast when I lived in California. These here are fresh water and for many years, we didn’t see them much, but they are making a comeback 🙂

Haha…DFD only has to say the word JBean, and I’ll ship one over to you, together with its little family 😀 I couldn’t stop watching them! Thankfully the camera I used (thanks to my lovely mum who got me a new one a couple of years ago) has a good zoom lens, but they weren’t camera shy at all…little hams in fact, lol! Thank you as always my friend! ❤ ❤ xoxo

Lovely to see you Sherri, and as others have said, blog when you can, we will all be here still. My garden is already showing signs of colour – purple crocuses, yellow daffs, white hellebore, a pink hyacinth and some pretty primulas. The tulips are forcing their way up so fingers crossed they actually have flowers eventually! Crack on with that memoir and I hope the rest of life’s little upsets fall into place eventually… 🙂

Hey Jude! (Love saying that 🙂 ) Lovely to see you too my friend. Oh I have missed your lovely photos of your garden, so many wonderful blogs, but I will see you very soon. I need some of your gorgeous garden colour! It will be lovely for you this year to see your garden flourish for your first, full, year round season. And thank you…yes, eventually…one hopes, ha! 🙂 xxx

I don’t know why I’ve never been a fan of poetry but your photos and short stories are always delightful. Maybe it’s because I know nothing about poetry. ;( Glad to see you even for short visits. We are all coming out from underground about now.

Poetry is so subjective. I’ve written it from time to time, but have never studied it as a form, and some I just don’t get. Ahh Marlene, thank you. I will be catching up with you asap, I miss hearing your news and how things are going for you. Well I hope…and yes, I think a lot of us are indeed emerging from our hidden slumbers 🙂 xoxo

Nice to see you anytime, Sherri. Woo hoo!
The otters look shiny–I guess oily–which somehow protects them in the water for long periods? Lovely pictures no matter how you look at it. Haven’t ever seen any so this is a treat.
Take care. Don’t overdo. It’s not worth it health-wise. Look after YOU too. ❤ ❤ ❤

Woo hoo indeed! Always a pleasure to see you too Tess, and you look fab in your new profile pic, may I say. These little fellows had been splashing in and out of water but I think they must have very oily fur to keep them waterproof and so shiny. I need some to stop my hair going frizzy in the rain lol! Glad you enjoyed the pics. And I take your wise advice to heart…hope you’re doing the same my friend! See you soon… 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤

Wonderful to talk with you. Yes, I’ve flipped my day so I don’t start with blogging or email till I get my stuff done–or at least make a good stab at it but there just isn’t enough time because of social media and blogging. Sigh.

It is a constant struggle to get the balance right – but as we’ve said so many times, we do the best we can, when we can…and that’s the main thing! Wonderful to catch up Tess…have a great weekend and I’ll see you again very soon! 🙂 ❤

Super photos.
You’ve reminded me that blogging is not a chore – and I really will find time to write something before this week is out. Well done you for – in Alan Bennett’s words – ‘keeping on keeping on.’

Oh I’m so glad to hear that…I needed to remind myself of the same thing, as once it becomes a chore, it’s no good is it? Lovely to see you again, I hope the year has started out well for you. Glad you enjoyed the photos, thank you, and also for those wise words…I will say and repeat, say and repeat… 🙂

Sherri, wow, I love that you bring a slice of a hot summers day to WP. The otters are beyond cute…what were they looking at, I wonder? What a wonderful day out. You paint such a lovely spring image of you, nestling away like a spring bulb, ready to appear with your memoir in hand…I applaud your dedication and resilience. Keep writing, editing and I look forward to reading it…soon!! No pressure, then, haha!!😀😀 Warmest wishes and I’ll keep an eye out for your reformed posts! ❤️️

Hi Annika, always so lovely to see you, thank you so much for your lovely comment. I thought how nice and fun it would be to bring some early summer cheer to the Summerhouse 🙂 The otters were looking out for their food methinks, smart little things that they are! I honestly had no idea what to post, and this is what happened: spring bulbs and otters…ha! Who knew? I will be in touch very soon, and will keep ploughing through those revisions as best I can. And no pressure at all, ha! 😉 Big hugs to you my friend! ❤

Congratulations on reaching the revision stage of your memoir. I love the otter photos. We have otters in a river near where I live but I’ve managed to glimpse one once and didn’t have my camera with me. It disappeared so quickly I’d probably not have managed to take its photo.

Thanks so much Mary…I am chasing that finish line! How wonderful to see an otter in a river, but I know what you mean about trying to get a photo of one in the wild. A few years on holiday on the Norfolk Broads, I saw one by the riverbank, but it was far too quick for me too. Seeing these beauties up close was a real treat 🙂

I hear you girlfriend! And you my friend are just like those spring bulbs, ready to burst with bloom soon with your new book. All writers know time is focus when going through revisions and edits to birth a book, so don’t apologize.
Just a quick hello my friend from the friend island of St. Martin. 🙂 xoxoxo ❤

Deb, it’s so great to see you here my friend, thank you so much for dropping by, but you are very naughty when you are supposed to be sunning yourself on the beautiful island of St. Martin! How sweet of you to visit me and bring your Caribbean sunshine with you 🙂 I know you understand only too well how much focus is necessary for edits and revisions…and yes, focus is time, lots of it! Now as much I love seeing you again, promise me you’ll get back to your vacation and have a ball…and a cocktail on me lol! 🙂 ❤ xoxoxo

You crack me up Sher! Okay, well, fyi, I got back home last night for a fast few days. Just a quick check here as I have tons of laundry and calls and errands to do. I’ll post something this week and photos on the weekend. Chat with you later on the big FB LOL . Big hugs my funny friend. xoxoxoxo ❤ 🙂

Welcome home Deb! Wow, that time flew by! I’m amazed to see you here, but thank you for checking in when I know exactly what it’s like when returning from vacation, so sweet of you. I’ll be away until Monday visiting with my boys so I’ll try to catch up with you before I leave early Friday morning, but if not, definitely, when I get back. Glad I made you laugh…and yes, see you over on FB in the meantime! Big hugs back to you my sweet friend! 🙂 ❤ xoxoxo

Hi Sher! Enjoy your time with the boys. Yes, I got back Monday night and busy as a bee sorting out life, emails and tons of laundry to prepare for part 2 of the vacay, leaving for Arizona early next week. But at least I will have reliable internet there and be buzzing around circles more often. 🙂 xoxo ❤

You are a very busy bee my lovely friend, but what fun times you are having! I’ll catch up with you Deb, as you know I always do lol! Can’t wait to see your pics. Always wonderful to see you buzzing around, smiling your beautiful smile into everyone’s day 🙂 >3 xoxo

I absolutely totally adore those otters. They are creatures I could watch for hours and, indeed, have done in the past, at the otter sanctuary.
Thanks so much for mentioning my guest post over at Bill’s blog 🙂 He’s such a dear, and always so encouraging of his fellow writers.

Oh Sarah, I knew you would…aren’t they so cute? I love watching them too, utterly fascinating. And my pleasure, your post was beautiful, a wonderful resource for anyone wanting to try different forms of Japanase poetry – me for one! It was lovely to meet Bill through you, I can see what a dear he is. But then, so are you my lovely friend 🙂 xxxx

Oh Sherri, I was so excited to read that you are working on the last leg of your memoir revisions?! How good it must feel to be in that final home stretch. I can also imagine that it might be challenging at the same time? Being a perfectionist myself, I often feel as though my creations are never good enough! I love the flash of summer that you gave us. And those otters… how adorable are they?! Although it’s rather cold here today, we are supposed to warm up into the 60s this weekend. I’m hoping that we can take our puppy Maya on a walk since she’s been rather cooped up. So good to see your name pop up on my reader Sherri. Here’s to continued success writing, strength for your caregiving, and hopes for some sunshine 🙂

Oh Heather, you have hit the nail on the head, from one perfectionist to another! It is really hard because not only am I trying to rein in the last of my revisions, while also editing different parts of the story (because one change in one section seems to bring up other changes in other parts…), I am also battling chronic self-doubt. It takes a lot of energy to keep it all in check and not give up!!! So…I thought a splash of summer might bring some cheer and I’m so glad you enjoyed the otter pics 🙂 Wow, it’s warming up for you, that will be lovely to take sweet Maya for a walk. It’s definitely milder here too, so much that we hope to get in the garden this weekend and do some mega clearing up! Each day now, I see new growth bursting up where for so long everything seemed dead. You can almost feel the ground yawn and stretch out its arms at this time of year can’t you? Thank you so much for your good and kind wishes, sunshine enough for me 🙂 I will be over to see what delicious treats you’ve baked lately, and meanwhile, have a lovely, walking weekend! xoxo

So pleased to hear that you’re making great progress in making your memoirs bloom, Sherri. Sounds to me as if you’re on the right track with it all and that the finishing line is now in sight. Well done for getting this far. Yes, we miss you in blog land, but it’s great to hear that you’re getting ever nearer that dream of publishing your book. Keep up the brilliant work.
Sending you some virtual hugs (which you exchange for real ones in June – if not before). 😀
xx

Hi Hugh, so lovely to read your comment, thank you so much for popping in when I’ve been absent. Your understanding and support, along with your lovely, warm hugs, both virtual and real, help me more than you know…I’ll remember them when I’m feeling overwhelmed! See you soon my friend… 🙂 xxxx

And it always so good to see you again, dear Sylvia. I have missed so many of your wonderful posts, my aim today is to visit you and catch up on your great adventures! Glad you enjoyed the otter pics…they were so cute! 🙂 ❤ xoxo

Hi Sherri!! Good to hear you’re approaching the finish line!!
I too have become a care giver, for my mom, just not full time yet. so, I understand the time crunch there. Also, I had to shut off my home internet due to raised price. More fun! (NOT)
So, if you don’t hear from me for a while, don’t worry! I’m still trying to keep a 5 days a week post schedule. We’ll see how that goes!
The otters are so cute!! I saw them live in Alaska, the 3 years I lived there. So precious to see them asleep in the water, holding hands as they float!
Love, Melinda

Hi Melinda! Always lovely to hear from you, I really appreciate it, especially knowing what a busy time you are having. The time constraints of the care giving role, whether full time or not, means we have to balance our days quite differently. And I’m so sorry to hear about your home internet, what a bummer. Makes me so cross – the price hike, not you turning it off, lol! Seriously though, prices here are going up and up on utilities. Just when you think you’ve got your budget sorted out, another hike arrives. How are every day folk like us supposed to manage? Argggh..don’t get me started 😦 But thank you for letting me know as I would have worried about you…and you’re doing really well to keep up 5 posts a week, wow! I will check in with you for sure, as I can. We’ll find a way, as they say! And so glad you enjoyed the otter pics, thank you! Ahh…I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska, how beautiful to see them asleep in the water like that. I did too once off the coast in California, they are adorable, their little hands! Take care of yourself my friend, see you very soon…much love to you too… 🙂 ❤

It’s good to see you back again my friend, I look forward to your shorter posts and catching up with you as we do in the email world. I do like otters, they are like wet ferrets except not stuck in Yorkshire men’s trousers.

Good to see you too, thanks my friend…and yes, as we do 🙂 Ha…these otters are so cute, as are ferretts, but I wouldn’t fancy either down a pair of trousers, Yorkshire man or not! LOL…you crack me up Ste…thanks for the laugh today, I needed it!

I totally understand your blogging issues, Sherri. I am currently going through the same process as i am also finishing several manuscripts that I intend to submit late spring. So it is wise to keep short posts. But it is also nice for our readers to post occasionally. Otherwise it would be like making friends and stopping to see them. So good luck as you plow your way through the last leg of your memoir. Hope to be able to read it soon. And a few posts here and there too 🙂

You make a great point about blogging and friendship Evelyne. I don’t like to just disappear, but am always so humbled to know that others understand when I can’t blog as much as I would like from time to time. Thank you so much for your kind message and I send the same wishes to you for the finishing of your manuscripts and the very best with your submissions and I’ll see you soon! 🙂

What a lovely simile, Sherri, comparing yourself and your writing endeavours to a spring bulb! I know how it feels to be overwhelmed, I am often that way, struggling to produce books, blog posts and essays whilst trying to keep my home going and care for my family. Its my own fault, I know, so no moaning, just grin and get on with it. But that doesn’t make it any easier. My posts are fewer and shorter, and I struggle getting around all the blogs I want to read. But this blogging community is supportive and forgiving. So try not to be too hard on yourself, and take the time you need. The otters are gorgeous, btw, and so is the sunshine… so looking forward to a bit of that this summer. Its amazing how everything seems better when the sun shines! 😙😙😙

Hi Ali! So kind of you to leave your lovely, kind message, thank you so much. We are in the same boat but as you say, we belong to such an amazing blogging community who understand and continue to support and encourage us and I never fail to be humbled by that. It’s so hard though isn’t it trying to keep up with everything? I am too hard on myself, way too hard, and that is what I constantly battle against – along with numerous other things! But…we do what we can do, right? So glad you enjoyed the otter pics and the sunshine. It was a very hot day, I remember it well, which is just as well as it’s absolutely chucking it down outside, hailstorms and everything today! And so grey… But spring is around the corner…let’s hope! And before we know it, time for the BB 🙂 xxx

Hi Sherri,
I’m sorry I’m so late in popping over, but it’s lovely to see some words on the page in your Summerhouse, and know that you are doing okay, ready to blossom with the spring flowers. I know you’ve been doing it tough, so taking things a little easier on your blog should help a little. I love your otter photographs. They are very cute. Thank you for sharing them. Hopefully soon, like the otter family, we’ll all be looking at the words on the pages of your book.
Look after yourself, my sweet friend. It’s always a pleasure to meet up.

Hi Norah! No apologies necessary – always such a pleasure to see you any time of the day or night, whether at yours or mine! As we’ve often said, we might not be able to visit as often as possible at the moment, but we know where we can find one another for a catch up when we can! So glad you enjoyed the otter pics, I thought it would be nice to share their cute little faces from a summer’s day 🙂 Thank you so much as always for bringing smiles to my day with your kind and encouraging message and I would say the very same to you – take care and see you soon my friend! 🙂 xxx

Always good to hear from you. I love the analogy of finishing a book with being like a spring bulb. Almost there, cracking the soil, but still not yet 🙂 Happy working!
And man, I love love love these otters.

Hi Ilka! I just saw your recent post pop up in my emails and have it ready to visit you in the next day or so, and then I saw your lovely comment here! Always such a pleasure to hear from you. Ha, yes…still a way’s to go, but I’m seeing a crack of daylight! And so glad you enjoyed the otter pics! See you soon my friend! 🙂

The otters are adorable. We have otters here in CA, but I have not seen any that tiny. Good luck with your memoirs. It was so sweet of you to take time out and visit my blog. I know exactly what you mean about time crunch, then feeling guilty not getting around to people. I’ve been up since before 1:00 am, and it’s now 4:21 am, and I’m visiting blogs. Yikes! There are not enough hours – or maybe I’m just slow! 🙂 It’s good to read your post and browse through the comments as well to see some of my friends there. It amazes me what a community we have become. 🙂

Hi Marsha! Thanks so much for visiting my blog too, and for your lovely comment. I remember seeing otters in CA off the coast at Morro Bay when we lived there 🙂 They are so adorable! Yikes is right when it comes to blogging the hours just disappear. In my case, I think I’m slow as I can’t ever seem to keep up!!! We have a wonderful community don’t we? I had no idea when I started off blogging that such a community existed…thrilled to know we share that same community! Lovely to meet you Marsha 🙂

I feel the same way. My first husband and I went to Morro Bay all the time. We stayed in our motor home right on the Embarcadero. Remember when that spot was an RV park? I loved it, walking down and having cinnamon rolls for breakfast! Yum!

Oh I know that Embarcadero and that RV Park so well! And that cafe selling cinnamon rolls? The owner was our landlord of our first rental when we very first moved to Los Osos in the mid 80s! I have so many photos of the kids when they were little spending the afternoon strolling along in Morro Bay. We sometimes took our canoe out across to the island across the bay and had a picnic; the kids wading in the shallow water amongst all the sea cucumbers! I also remember The Great American Fish Company on the Embarcadero where we sometimes stopped for dinner. And don’t get me started on the amazing clam chowder in sourdough bowls!! Ahh…Marsha, my reminiscing with you is making me so homesick for California!!

You’re so creative, Sher, and your heart shines through in this post. Judging from the number of comments, you have immense support from your friends and followers, myself included. I, too, have to find a way to juggle writing, blogging, and keeping my physical life together. I like your approach; it’s simple, clean, and heartfelt. And I love the little critters! I want to kiss each one of those sweet little otter faces. Sending you love, light, and hugs, dear friend ♥ 🌹♥

Aww…thank you so much my dear, sweet friend, you are always so kind and thoughtful, bless you. It’s not easy is it, that balancing act? One day at a time is my mantra so far! So glad you enjoyed the otter pics…aren't they so cute? Haha…I have a wonderful image of you kissing their sweet faces! And I'm sending you the very same back dear Tina…feeling the love 🙂 ❤ xoxo

My dearest Sherri. Hello! How are you? I’ve missed talking with you and reading your gorgeous words, so I thought I would pop over for a visit. Picture me all snuggled in a blanket with my second cappuccino in hand on a cold, windy Maryland morning. I’m SO excited to hear you’re nearing completion of your first draft! CONGRATS!!!! ☘💚☘💚

My dearest Karen..how wonderful to hear from you, I’ve missed you too! I’ve been absent from blogging and so much out of the loop. Last year was rough, my mother had a stroke (recovered thank goodness) and then four months later, my dad, who I didn’t know was terminally ill, died. I was with him to the end. It took me a while to get back on my feet and back to my memoir. But now I think with the revisions I’ve been working on I’m probably on about my third or fourth draft, but I’ve lost count! I spend an inordinate amount of time processing no matter what I’m doing. It never leaves us does it? I wonder if your memoir is finished? I will be over to see you very soon my lovely, sweet friend! I do hope life is treating you well.Huge hugs to you…you’ve made my day 🙂 ❤ 🙂 ❤

Oh Sherri – I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. What a tremendous shock it must have been to find out he had been terminally ill after his passing. I hope and pray your mother is doing well, considering everything she’s been through. Hugs and much love to you sweet friend!
How I wish we lived remotely nearby. We’d be a great support system for each other wouldn’t we. It’s no wonder, what with everything, that it’s taken you awhile to get back to writing! Best of luck in finishing your memoir! Your beautiful soul will shine through between the lines when your work is complete. You’re a gorgeous human being & writer. 💚
My memoir is finished! I’m beyond thrilled and excited and terrified for the next leg! SO wondrously happy to hear from you!!!!! 😍 Be well!

Thank you so much dear Karen. Yes, it was a terrible shock with my dad, but such a blessing to have those last five days with him. Mum is recovering so well, one year on, such a mercy for which I and my family are extremely grateful. Oh wouldn’t it be great to live closer? I would relish our support network, chats, coffees, wines, whatever, doesn’t matter, it would just be so wonderful. You are always so incredibly encouraging and kind my dear, sweet friend, bless you. And I am absolutely thrilled to read that you’ve finished your memoir! I will be waiting eagerly for your updates and news…and of course beyond eager to read it and help you promote it. Huge hugs and how lovely to be in touch again! Much love to you! 🙂 ❤ xoxo

I haven’t been blogging as much as usual lately, and I’m even more behind on my blog reading. So how nice to look through my feed tonight and see your most recent post, which led me to this one. I’m happy to see you whenever you’re able to post something! I think of you often.

Ahh…so lovely to hear from you Marlene. You are never far from my thoughts and I have been wondering how you are. As you can see, I’ve only blogged twice this year so far! Life takes us down different paths and it’s just not possible to keep up with blogging sometimes. I hope to catch up with some blog reading over the next few days and then I’ll disappear again. I really, really need to finish my memoir! It’s so lovely to hear from you again. I hope life is treating you well ❤